The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 30 farms for implementing appropriate pollution prevention practices. The program assists farmers to comply with state and federal environmental regulations and with Right to Farm practices. Technical assistance was provided by local Conservation Districts.

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program recognized:

Ackerman Brothers Farms, of Reese, as a verified farm in Cropping System

Carpenter Farms and Greenhouse, of Adrian, as a verified farm in Cropping (Field Crops and Veg.), Cropping (Greenhouse), Farmstead (Greenhouse), and Livestock Systems

Cary Pioneer Farms, of Alma, as a verified farm in Cropping System

Cary Pioneer Farms - Feed Lot, of Sumner, as a verified farm in Farmstead System

DeVries Nature Conservancy, of Owosso, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems

DNR - Rose Lake State Game Area, of East Lansing, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System

Don Letherer Farm, of Pittsford, as a verified farm in Farmstead System

Doug Erdman Farm, of Onekama Township, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System

Fromm Farms, LLC, of Owosso, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems

Glen Oaks Community College, Glen Oaks Farm, of Sturgis, as a verified farm in Farmstead System

Jeff Furness Farms, of Yale, as a verified farm in Cropping System

Ken Smolek Farm, of Corunna, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems

Kingsbury Farm, of Lennon, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems

Letherer Farms, LLC, of Hudson, as a verified farm in Farmstead System

Logan Beef Farm, of Tustin, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems

Metz Seed Farms, of Ida, as a verified farm in Farmstead System

N & L Farms, LLC, of Tipton, as a verified farm in Cropping System

Paulette's Potting Shed, of Decatur, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems

Peterson's Riverview Nursery, LLC, of Allegan, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems

Phil Carter Farm, of Shelby, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems

R.W. Oates Farm, of Waldron, as a verified farm in Cropping System

Red Arrow Dairy, of Hartford, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems

Roy Woodworth's Habitat, of Manitou Beach, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System

Schichtel Nursery and Vineyard (Fox Rd Farm), of Buckley, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead and Livestock Systems

Shades of Lavender Farm, LLC, of Mattawan, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems

Suttons Pointe Farms, of Suttons Bay, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems

T.F. Beef Farms, of Yale, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems

Tate Bros Farms, Inc., of Hart, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems

Tom Wiesen Farms, of Empire, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems

Toy Box Farms, of Durand, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems

"These 30 farms represent the agricultural community's commitment to a sustainable environment," said MDARD Director Gordon Wenk. "By taking the steps necessary to become MAEAP verified, farmers continue to be excellent stewards of their land. The success of the program demonstrates how the agricultural community comes together to protect our land and water quality."

MAEAP is a collaborative effort of farmers, MDARD, Michigan Farm Bureau, commodity organizations, universities, conservation districts, conservation and environmental groups and state and federal agencies. More than 100 local coordinators and technical service providers are available to assist farmers as they move through the MAEAP process toward verification. An average of 5,000 Michigan farmers attend educational programs annually, 10,000 Michigan farms have started the verification process and over 4,000 verifications to date.

To become MAEAP verified, farmers must complete three comprehensive steps which include attending an educational seminar, conducting a thorough on-farm risk assessment, and developing and implementing an action plan addressing potential environmental risk. MDARD conducts an on farm inspection to verify program requirements related to applicable state and federal environmental regulations, Michigan Right to Farm guidelines, and adherence to an action plan. When completed, the producer receives a certificate of environmental assurance. To remain a MAEAP verified farm, inspections must be conducted every five years and action steps must be followed.

In March of 2011, Governor Rick Snyder signed Senate Bill 122 and House Bill 4212, now Public Acts 1 and 2 of 2011, to codify the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program into law.

MAEAP is a multi-year program allowing producers to meet personal objectives, while best managing both time and resources. The program encompasses four systems designed to help producers evaluate the environmental risks of their operation. Each system -- Livestock, Farmstead, Cropping, and Forest, Wetlands and Habitat -- examines a different aspect of a farm, as each has a different environmental impact. By participating in all four systems, producers can comprehensively evaluate their entire farming operation for potential environmental risks.

For more information, visit the MAEAP website at http://www.maeap.org or contact Joe Kelpinski, MDARD's MAEAP Program Manager, at (517)284-5608.